The two July Family Camps: Forest Camp, July 7-10 and Creekside Camp July 13-17, served a total of 12 adults, 16 children from seven families. Five volunteers at each Camp worked hard to run outdoor activities, prepared and served meals and brought back to life the hopes of the Camp’s 1967 founders and supporters. This year’s supported internship program allowed for skill building for those who were on our leadership teams. Connection in the natural world was a benefit to all. It was also our first year that we had the intergenerational sharing of grandparents with their grandchildren.
Participants had opportunities to play, connect with one another and learn about the natural environment here on the camp property. Visits with animals at the Farm Collaborative, hikes on the Windstar Foundation trail and experiences along Snowmass Creek were highlights. Children and parents made new friends, found acceptance in developing compassion and caring relationships with one another, performed skits, played drums, observed the stars of clear night skies, made S’mores, and created artful gifts. Most advanced their signing skills for those who came with less confidence communicating between cultures, especially siblings. These were successful third year programs that offered long weekend summer mountain opportunities…the mission that the Aspen Camp has to serve our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.